US3137209A - Apparatus for making topographical models - Google Patents

Description

June 15, 1964 v. GREEN ETAL APPARATUS FOR MAKING TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS Filed July 2'7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS VIRGIN/A GRE'EJV LI/Ll M Jail/V370 ATTORNEYS June 16, 1964 v. GREEN ETAL 3,137,209

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS Filed July 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TORS flea/MIA 625E YZE/M M Jail/V370 MIM ATTORNEYS 3,137,209 APPARATUS FUR MAKING TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS Virginia Green and "Leiia M. Johnston, both of 444 Clementine, San Francisco 3, Calif.

Filed July 27, 1961, Ser. No. 127,211 14 (Ilaims. (Cl. 90--13.1)

This invention relates to apparatus for making three dimensional models and more specifically to apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models from solid masses of material.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for cutting three dimensional topographical models from solid blocks of material.

It is another object of the invention to provide such apparatus for making such models directly from conventional topographical maps.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide such apparatus of maximum accuracy and flexibility whereby a wide variety of such models may be made and the models will be very accurate three dimensional replicas of the topographical maps from which they are derived.

- It is a principal object of the invention to provide such apparatus of maximum simplicity whereby accurate apparatus may be constructed economically and whereby the apparatus will have a minimum number of precisionparts which could become defective.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tool for such apparatus which can be manufactured and sold as a single small precision unit and used with simple framework for producing such models.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the preferred form of apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation, and partially in section, of the working portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of an alternative form of apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the Working portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional'view of the apparatus 7 of FIG. 3 taken along the plane 5-5 of FIG. 3 and with the apparatus of FIG. 4 removed.

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred form of the invention illustrated therein com.-

U ited States Patent 8 prises an upright frame 10 with a generally horizontal table 12 supported thereon. The frame 1i is provided with a plurality of apertures 14 therein through which pins 16 extend to permit incremental adjustment of the height of the table. The top of the frame 10 is preferably formed of four angle irons 18 joined into a rectangle and into which a work supporting plate may be fitted. A solid mass of material .20 such as polystyrene foam from which the model is to be made is mounted on the work supporting plate by suitable means such as cement or screws, with the mass of material 20 depending from the supporting plate above the table 12. A topographical map is photographically enlarged or reduced to the desired size of the model and mounted on the table 12 directly below the mass of material 20. Since the work is formed on the machine in an upside-down position while the map is'supported rightside up, a reverse print of a conventional topographical map should be used.

A working tool shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 rests upon the table 12 and is freely movable thereover while sageway therethrough which is internally threaded. An

ice

externally threaded sleeve 26 is threadedly received in the sleeve 24, and an electric motor 28 is rigidly mounted in the sleeve 26 with the armature of motor 28 supported for rotation about the axis of sleeve 24. A tool receiving chuck 30 is mounted on the armature of the motor 28, and a rotary cutting tool 32 is mounted on the chuck 30. The chuck 30 may form any conventional means for rotatably mounting the tool on the motor, for instance, a conventional drill chuck or a screw in the end of the armature shaft, etc. In any event, it is preferred that the tool 32 be removable so that different diameter tools canbe used in the device where topographical contour lines of different curvatures are to be followed.

A triangular plate 34 is mounted on the legs 22 below the motor 28 and carries a threaded rod 36 secured there to coaxial with the tool 32' by bolts 38. A cylindrical stylus 40 is threadedly received on the rod 36 adjacent to the surface of the table 12, and the diameter of the stylus 40 is substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical cutting shape generated by the tool 32 when the motor is'operated. A different diameter stylus 40 is providedfor each corresponding dilferent tool 32.

An index arm 42 is mounted on the inner sleeve 26 by a screw 44 and extends over the outer surface of the outer sleeve 24, and a scale of indicia 46 (see FIG. 1) is stamped in the outer sleeve cooperable with the index 42 to indicate the relative axial positions of the inner and outer sleeves, thereby denoting the distance of the cutter tool 32 above the table 12. The graduations on the scale 46 are preferably placed one-sixteenth of an inch apart and the threads on the sleeves 24 and 26 are cut sixteen to the inch. In addition, means are provided for locking the inner and outer sleeves 24 and 26 against relative rotation in eight equally spaced rotational positions whereby the cutter head may be moved between different positions above the table 12 with the positions spaced as close as A of an inch apart.

The means for locking the sleeves 24 and 26 together comprises eight notches 48 equally spaced around the periphery of the sleeve 24 and a spring latch 50 mounted on the sleeve 26 by a screw 52 andengageable in the notches 48 as best seen in FIG. 2. j

A deflector disc 54 may be mounted on the top of the motor 28 by screws 56 tokeep shavings away from the threaded sleeves 24 and 26.

In the apparatus of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 m5, the cutting tool 32 is mounted in fixed relation to the table 12 with the motor 28 being. non-adjustably mounted on the legs 22 of the .tool carrier.. In this structure of the invention, however, rigid peripheral braces 58 interconnect the posts of the frame 10, and four jack screws 60 adjustably support the angle irons 18 above the braces 58. The jack screws 60 are rigidly connected to the angle irons 18 and are embraced by the threaded sleeves 62 adjacent to the braces 58, the sleeves 62 carrying sprockets 64 which are connected by a chain 66 to drive the jack screws- 60 in synchronization with each other.

A pair of sprockets 68 maintain the chain 66 under tension on a drive sprocket 70, and the drive sprocket 70 is driven by a hand Wheel 72 through gears 74.

In operation of the devices of the invention shown above a topographical map, such as the map 76 in FIG. 5, is placed on the table 12 immediately under the mass of material 20 from which a model is to be made, and the stylus 40 is moved around one of the contour lines on the map with the cutter tool 32 in engagement with the material 20 and with the stylus 40 maintained on the downhill side (outside on a mountain or insidein a valley) of the contour line on the map so that the cutter forms an exact replica of the line in the material along a plane parallel to the table 12. The distance of the amass cutter 32 from the material 20 is then adjusted by moving the wheel 72 or by disengaging the spring catch 50 and moving it around the sleeve 24-. The procedure is then repeated to cut at different levels in the material 2%) corresponding replicas of the adjacent contour lines on the map until the desired three dimensional model is obtained. The steps between adjacent lines may then be contoured smoothly. In this manner exact models are obtained with maximum ease. The apparatus with which the models are made is very simple and dependable and can be constructed at minimum cost while obtaining a device of extreme accuracy. The preferred structure of FIGS. 1 and 2 is particularly advantageous from this standpoint because it employs a minimum number of precision made parts. The apparatus of FIGS. 1 'and 2 is also very advantageous because it can be made and sold as a single small precision unit which can be used on a relatively simple framework, as shown in FIG. 1.

While two specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail herein, it is obvious that many modifications of the structures described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models which comprises a support frame having a table thereon adapted to support a'reverse print of a topographical map representing the model which is to be made, work holding means on said frame above said table for supporting above said table a mass of material from which said model is to be made, a tool carrier resting on said table and freely movable over the surface of said table, power means mounted on said carrier and movable therewith, a rotary cutting tool connected to said power means for rotation about a generally vertical axis with said tool being movable over said table with said carrier,- a stylus mounted on said carrier adjacent to said table along said axis of rotation of said tool with both said tool and said stylus positioned between said table and said work holding means, and

adjusting means for changing the distance between said cutting tool and said work holding means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 characterized further in that said tool generates a generally cylindrical cutting shape when it is rotated about said axis; said stylus is generally circular and mounted coaxially with said cutting shape, and the diameter of said stylus is substantially equal to the diameter of said cutting shape.

3. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models which comprises a support frame having a generally horizontal table thereon adapted to support a reverse print of a topographical map representing the model which is to be made, work holding means on said frame above said table for supporting above said table a mass of material from which said model is to be made, a tool carrier resting on said table and freely movable over the surface of said table, an electric motor mounted on said tool carrier and having a tool receiving chuck mounted thereon for rotation about a generally vertical axis responsive to operation of said motor, a rotary tool received in said chuck and projecting upwardly from said motor and movable over said table with said carrier, said tool generating a cylindrical cutting shape responsive to operation of said motor, a generally circular stylus mounted on said carrier adjacent to said table with said stylus being coaxial with said axis of rotation of said chuck and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said cutting shape with both said tool and said stylus positioned between said table and said work.

generally horizontal table thereon adapted to support a reverse print of a topographical map representing the model which is to be made, work holding means rigidly mounted on said frame above said table for supporting above said table a mass of material from which said model is to be made, a tool carrier resting on said table and freely movable over the surface of said table, an electric motor mounted on said tool carrier and having a tool receiving chuck mounted thereon for rotation about a generally vertical axis responsive to operation of said motor, a rotary tool received in said chuck and projecting upwardly from said motor and movable over said table with said carrier, said tool generating a cylindrical cutting shape responsive to operation of said mo tor, a generally circular stylus mounted on said carrier adjacent to said table with said stylus being coaxial with said axis of rotation of said chuck and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said cutting shape and with both said chuck and said stylus positioned between said table and said work holding means, and adjusting means forming a part of said carrier for changing the distance between said cutting tool and said table.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 characterized further in that said tool is mounted on said motor in fixed space relation to said motor axially thereof, and said adjusting means comprises means for moving said motor with respect to said carrier along a direction generally parallel to said axis of rotation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said means for -moving said motor with respect to said carrier comprises tor against threading rotation in said sleeve.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 characterized further by the inclusion of an index member mounted on said motor and extending overa portion of the outer surface of said sleeve, and a scale of'indicia on the outer surface of said sleeve cooperable with said index to indicatethe'relative axial positions of said motor and said sleeve.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 characterized further by the inclusion of means for incrementally adjusting the distance between said table and work holding means.

9. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models which comprises a support frame having a generally horizontal table thereon adapted to support a reverse print of a topographical map representing the model which is to be made, work holding means for supporting in depending relation therefrom a mass of material from which said model is to be made, adjustable support means mounting said work holding means on said frame above said table for adjustment of the distance of said work holding means above said table, a tool carrier resting on said table and freely movable over the surface of said table, an electric motor rigidly mounted on said carrier and having a tool receiving chuck mounted thereon for rotation about a generally vertical axis responsive to operation of said motor, a rotary cutting tool received in said chuck and projecting upwardly from said motor and movable over said table with said carrier, said tool generating a cylindrical cutting shape responsive to operation of said motor, and a generally circular stylus mounted on said carrier adjacent to said table with saidstylus being coaxial with said axis of rotation of said chuck and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said cutting shape and with both said stylus and said tool positioned between said table and said work holding means.

holding means, and adjusting means for changing the V distance between said cutting tool and said work holding means. a p

4. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models which comprises a support frame having a models which comprises a frame having a base portion adapted to rest on and be moved freely over a flat surface, an internally threaded sleeve rigidly mounted on said base portion and having a central axis generally perpention of said motor, and a generally cylindrical stylus mounted on said frame between said base portion and said motor and having a generally circular stylus end adjacent to said base portion with said stylus end being coaxial with said axis and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said cutting shape.

12. The tool of claim 11 characterized further by the inclusion of releasable latching means for locking said motor against rotation in said sleeve.

13. The tool of claim 12 characterized further by the inclusion of an index member mounted on said motor and. extending over a portion of the outer surface of said sleeve, and a scale of indicia on the outer surface of said sleeve cooperable with said index to indicate the relative axial positions of said motor and said sleeve.

14. A tool for making three dimensional topographical models which comprises a frame having a base portion adapted to rest onand be moved freely over a flat surface, a body portion mounted on the base portion, a router mounted on said body portion and having a cutting tool thereon facing away from said base portion with said router positioned for rotating said tool about an axis generally perpendicular to the flat surface on which said base portion rests, adjustable connecting means interconnecting said router and said body for adjustably positioning said router at a plurality of difierent posi- 'tions along said axis, and a generally cylindrical stylus mounted on said base portion adjacent to the surface on which said base portion rests with said stylus having a circular end coaxial with said axis and equal in diameter to the diameter of said tool.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Heise Jan. 30, 1923

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR MAKING THREE DIMENSIONAL TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS WHICH COMPRISES A SUPPORT FRAME HAVING A TABLE THEREON ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A REVERSE PRINT OF A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP REPRESENTING THE MODEL WHICH IS TO BE MADE, WORK HOLDING MEANS ON SAID FRAME ABOVE SAID TABLE FOR SUPPORTING ABOVE SAID TABLE A MASS OF MATERIAL FROM WHICH SAID MODEL IS TO BE MADE, A TOOL CARRIER RESTING ON SAID TABLE AND FREELY MOVABLE OVER THE SURFACE OF SAID TABLE, POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, A ROTARY CUTTING TOOL CONNECTED TO SAID POWER MEANS FOR ROTATION ABOUT A GENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS WITH SAID TOOL BEING MOVABLE OVER SAID TABLE WITH SAID CARRIER, A STYLUS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER ADJACENT TO SAID TABLE ALONG SAID AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID TOOL WITH BOTH SAID TOOL AND SAID STYLUS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID TABLE AND SAID WORK HOLDING MEANS, AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CHANGING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID CUTTING TOOL AND SAID WORK HOLDING MEANS.

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